Vol. 543 No. 3
82 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government position on closing the borders against Afghan refugees and their right to access to the support of United Nations agencies both within and outside Afghanistan. [27029/01]
The Government has repeatedly called, including at the UN Security Council, for the early reopening of Afghanistan's borders to refugees. We continue to call on the relevant countries and the international donor community to work together so that we can achieve this as part of our response to the evolving refugee situation. This objective is central to Ireland's efforts in support of an effective response to the humanitarian emergency in Afghanistan, including its impact on neighbouring countries. At UN level, the related issues of refugees and opening borders have been raised with both the Pakistani and Iranian Governments by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Ruud Lubbers, during his recent working visit to their respective capitals.
Before the 11 September terrorist attacks on the US, there were already more than three million Afghan refugees in bordering countries, mainly Pakistan and Iran. The enormous movement of refugees which had been anticipated following the attacks has not yet materialised. Most persons displaced from their homes have, so far, stayed within the country. There are estimated to be 1.3 million people in this category of ‘internally displaced persons'. The UN and international aid agencies have identified their presence at 229 locations which are being mapped for humanitarian aid purposes. Latest UN estimates for the number of Afghans who have fled into neighbouring countries following 11 September stand at around 85,000 for Pakistan and 20,000 for Iran.
